Container closure



United States Patent Ofifice 3,1242% Patented Mar. 10, 1%64 3,124,296 CONTAINER CLQS Beatrice L. Haines, Hotel Voshurg, San .lacinto, Calif. Filed Mar. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 264,283 Claims. (Cl. 229-43) This invention relates to a closure for containers and, more particularly, to a closure capable of providing a reusable airtight seal. This application is a continuationin-part of my copending application, Serial No. 71,658, filed November 25, 1960, now abandoned.

The present invention provides a container closure that is economical in manufacture and is simple and efficient in operation. It can be used where the shape of the opening to be closed is, among others, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, or circular, and where the container is constructed of a variety of materials, such as glass, metal, plastic, or molded paper. Further, the closure of the present invention is capable of maintaining an airtight seal even though frequent removal and replacement of the closure occurs. Consequently, it can be used where the nature of the substance packed within the container requires that its quality or freshness be preserved by airtight sealing after initial removal of the closure.

The present invention is a container closure in combination with a container having a bottom and at least one wall defining an opening. The closure comprises a cover shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the wall of the container. Means are provided to produce sealing engagement between the cover and the wall. Means are mounted on the surface of the cover for applying a force to the cover to buckle it and break the sealing engagement between the wall and the cover.

In one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the container closure comprises a cover having an inner and outer surface, the cover being shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the wall of the container. An adhesive provides sealing engagement between the inner surface of the cover and the wall. First and second members are joined to separate portions of the upper surface of the cover, the first member having a portion overlapping a part of the second member, and the second member having a portion overlapping a part of the first member.v Means are secured to the overlapping portions of the first and second members, respectively, to extend upwardly and are positioned with respect to each other to enable application of a force to the cover for temporarily buckling it to break the sealing engagement of the adhesive between the cover and the wall of the container.

The adhesives usable with the container closure of the present invention may be naturally occurring or synthetic materials but must be capable of producing a satisfactory bond between similar or dissimilar surfaces. Where the substance packed within the container is a food, the adhesive must have the characteristic of nontoxicity and be substantially odorless. In order to provide rescaling characteristics, as where the use of the container closure involves frequent removal and replacement, the adhesive should have a permanent tackiness. For this purpose, the characteristics of pressure-sensitive adhesives, which produce adhesion to a surface effected by the application of moderate pressure, are particularly desirable. However, other adhesives having reasonably low bonding strengths may also be used, even though they are not of the pressure-sensitive type. It will be seen that the selection of a suitable adhesive from among those commercially available may readily be made for use with the container closure of the present invention.

The container closure of the present invention will be more thoroughly understood from the following detailed description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the container closure according to the present invention, together with a container;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the closure generally taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the closure according to the present invention, together with a container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a triangular closure according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a circular closure according to the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ovate container It) includes a wall 12 defining an ovate opening 14 at its upper end and closed by a bottom 16 at the lower end. The closure includes an inner sealing cover 18, the lower peripheral portion of which is in engagement with the upper end of wall 32. As particularly shown in FIG. 2 a pressure-sensitive adhesive 25) provides sealing engagement between the lower peripheral portion of inner cover 18 and the upper end of wall 12.

A first force-transmitting member 22 is joined by a suitable adhesive or other fastening means to a portion of the upper surface of the inner cover, and a second force-transmitting member 24 is similarly joined to another portion of the upper surface of the inner cover. Preferably, members 22 and 24 are joined to the upper surface of the inner cover by bonding them at their peripheries and a short distance inward therefrom. The first and second members 22, 24 substantially cover the upper surface of the inner cover and are shaped so as to have overlapping portions generally indicated at 26, 23, respectively. Overlapping portion 26 of first forcetransmitting member 22 merely overlies a part of the second member and is not bonded to it. Similarly, overlapping portion 28 of second force-transmitting member 24 overlies a part of the first member and is not bonded to it.

A gripping tab Fall is integrally formed from first forcetransmitting member 22 and, as shown in FIG. 1, projects upwardly from the extremity of the overlapping portion of member 22. A depression 32 is formed in overlapping portion 26 immediately adjacent tab 30 to accommodate the tab when it is bent downwardly into a horizontal position. In this manner, when the tab is not used to open the closure, as will be described, it can be bent into depression 32 so as to be flush with the upper surface of member 22. A gripping tab 34 is integrally formed from second force-transmitting member 24 and projects upwardly from the extremity of the overlapping portion of member 24. A depression 36 in overlapping portion 26 immediately adjacent tab 34 is utilized in the same manner as described with reference to depression 32.

Inner sealing cover 18 can be made of a number of materials, including metals, plastics, molded paper, and the like, so long as it is constructed to have a degree or flexibility sufiicient so that, upon opening of the container closure, as will now be described, buckling of the inner cover occurs to the extent necessary to break the sealing engagement of the adhesive.

In opening of the closure shown in FIG. 1, gripping tab 34 is grasped between the thumb and fingers of the left hand, and gripping tab 3% is grasped between the thumb and fingers of the right hand. A force is applied so that tab 34 is pulled in a counterclockwise direction and tab 34 is pushed in a counterclockwise direction. As a result of the application of this force, the inner sealing cover is buckled, taereby breaking the sealing engagement of adhesive 20 between the cover and the wall of the container and opening the closure.

When it is desired to reseal the container, the closure is placed in the position shown in FIG. 1 and is pressed down at the center to cause air within the container to escape. A moderate amount of pressure is then applied around the peripheral edge of the closure so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive causes rescaling of the container.

While gripping tabs 39 and 34 of FIGS. 1 and 2 have been described as being formed integrally with the first and second members, they may also be separate handles hinged to the first and second force-transmitting members as is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.

With respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, another embodiment of the closure according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the container is oblong in shape and includes a pair of side walls 41 and a pair of end walls 42 defining an opening 44 at the upper end of the container. The container is closed by a bottom 46 at its lower end. The upper inner surface of the end walls and side walls is inset to provide a ledge 43. A closure 50 includes an oblong inner sealing cover 52, a first forcetransmitting member 54 joined to a portion of the upper surface of the inner cover, and a second force-transmiting member 56 joined to another portion of the upper surface of the inner cover. A portion of first member 54 overlaps a part of second member 56, and a portion of second member 56 overlaps a part of first member 54.

At the extremity of the overlapping portion of first member 54, a handle 53 is joined to it by a hinge 60. Similarly, at the extremity of the overlapping portion of the second member 56, a handle 62 is joined to it by hinge 64. The handles are disposed on opposite sides of the closure, as particularly shown in FIG. 3. Immediately adjacent handle 58, a depression 66 is formed in the overlapping portion of first member 54 and, similarly, immediately adjacent handle 62, a depression 68 is formed in the overlapping portion of second member 56. In this manner, each handle may be pivoted downwardly on its hinge to lie within its associated depression and provide a flush upper surface to the closure. A peripheral portion of the lower surface of inner sealing cover 52 rests on ledge 48. A pressure-sensitive adhesive 70 provides sealing engagement between the peripheral edge of the inner cover and the ledge formed in the inner walls of the container. Because the inner cover rests on ledge 48, the upper surface of the closure is substantially coextensive with the upper edge of the container walls and a flush surface is provided.

In use, the closure of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is opened in the same general manner as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Handle 58 is raised to an upright position and is grasped between the thumb and fingers of the right hand while handle a2 is raised to an upright position and is grasped between the thumb and fingers of the left hand. Upon pulling on handle 58 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, and pushing on handle 62 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3, inner cover 52 buckles, thereby breaking the sealing engagement. Resealing of the closure is accomplished in the same manner as has already been described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. shows a closure 64 according to the present invention that is triangular in shape. FIG. 6 shows a closure according to the present invention that is circular in shape. Each of these closures includes an inner sealing cover, first and second members joined to the upper surface of the inner surface, and gripping tabs joined to the first and second members of the closure arranged as has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4. These closures are utilized with appropriately shaped openings in containers and are operated to open and close the container in the manner which has already been described.

From the description of the container closure of the present invention, it is seen that containers having clossures in accordance with the present invention may be used for a variety of products and substances, including food, drinks, paints, tobacco products, and the like.

While this invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments as illustrative of the principle of operation, it will be understood that various modifications of these embodiments may be made which are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In combination with a container having a bottom and at least one wall defining an opening, a container closure comprising a cover having an inner and outer surface, the cover being shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the wall of the container, an adhesive providing sealing engagement between the inner surface of the cover and the wall, first and second members joined to separate portions of the upper surface of the cover, the first member having a portion overlapping a part of the second member and the second member having a portion overlapping a part ofthe first member, means secured to the overlapping portion of the first and second members respectively to extend upwardly and positioned with respect to each other to enable application of a force for buckling the cover and breaking the sealing engagement between the cover and the wall of the container.

2. In combination with a container having a bottom and at least one wall defining an opening, a container closure comprising a relatively flexible cover having an inner and outer surface, the cover being shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the wall of the container, an adhesive providing sealing engagement between the inner surface of the cover and the wall, first and second members joined to separate portions of the upper surface of the cover, the first member having a portion overlapping a part of the second member and the second member having a portion overlapping a part of the first member, a gripping tab secured to the overlapping portion of each of the first and second members to extend upwardly and positioned with respect to each other to enable application of a force for buckling the flexible cover and breaking the sealing engagement between the cover and the wall of the container.

3. In combination with a container having a bottom and at least one wall defining an opening, a container closure comprising a relatively flexible cover having an inner and outer surface, the cover being shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the wall of the container, an adhesive providing sealing engagement between the inner surface of the cover and the wall, first and second members joined to separate portions of the upper surface of the cover, the first member having a portion overlapping a part of the second member and the second member having a portion overlapping a part of the first member, a first gripping tab hingeably secured to the overlapping portion of the first member, a depression in the overlapping portion adjacent the first tab to accommodate the tab, a second gripping tab hingeably secured to the overlapping portion of the second member, a depression in the overlapping portion adjacent the second tab to accommodate the tab, the tabs being positioned with respect to each other to enable application of a force for buckling the cover and breaking the sealing engagement between the cover and the wall of the container.

4. In combination with a container having a bottom, at least one wall defining an opening, and a ledge in the surface of the wall defining the opening, a container closure comprising a relatively flexible cover having an inner and outer surface, the cover being shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the ledge in the wall of the container, an adhesive providing sealing engagement between the inner surface of the cover and the ledge, first and second members joined to separate portions of the upper surface of the cover, the first member having a portion overlapping a part of the second member and the second member having a portion overlapping a part of the first member, a first gripping tab hingeably secured to the overlapping portion of the first member, a depression in the overlapping portion adjacent the first tab to accommodate the tab, a second gripping tab hingeably secured to the overlapping portion of the second member, a depression in the overlapping portion adjacent the second tab to accommodate the tab, the tabs being positioned with respect to each other to enable application of a force for buckling the cover and breaking the sealing engagement between the cover and the wall of the container.

5. In combination with a container having a bottom and at least one wall defining an opening, a container 15 2693292 closure comprising a relatively flexible cover having an inner and outer surface, the cover being shaped to fit over the opening and including a peripheral portion in engagement with the wall of the container, means for providing sealing engagement between the inner surface of the cover and the wall, first and second gripping means adjacent the upper surface of the cover, first and second means joining the first and second gripping means respectively to spaced apart portions of the cover, said gripping means being positioned with respect to each other to enable application of a force for buckling the cover and breaking the sealing engagement between the cover and the wall of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Vischer Nov. 2, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 28,200 Netherlands Jan. 22, 1931 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CONTAINER HAVING A BOTTOM AND AT LEAST ONE WALL DEFINING AN OPENING, A CONTAINER CLOSURE COMPRISING A COVER HAVING AN INNER AND OUTER SURFACE, THE COVER BEING SHAPED TO FIT OVER THE OPENING AND INCLUDING A PERIPHERAL PORTION IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WALL OF THE CONTAINER, AN ADHESIVE PROVIDING SEALING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE INNER SURFACE OF THE COVER AND THE WALL, FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS JOINED TO SEPARATE PORTIONS OF THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE COVER, THE FIRST MEMBER HAVING A PORTION OVERLAPPING A PART OF THE SECOND MEMBER AND THE SECOND MEMBER HAVING A PORTION OVERLAPPING A PART OF THE FIRST MEMBER, MEANS SECURED TO THE OVERLAPPING PORTION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY TO EXTEND UPWARDLY AND POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER TO ENABLE APPLICATION OF A FORCE FOR BUCKLING THE COVER AND BREAKING THE SEALING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE WALL OF THE CONTAINER. 